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Dandan to create new Neighborhood Watch program
The village of Dandan is planning to create a new Neighborhood Watch program to better secure its community.
According to Rep. Edwin Propst, they have taken the first step to start the program by signing up people who want to volunteer.
“The Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the country, bringing citizens together with law enforcement to deter crime and make communities safer,” said Propst.
Dandan Village residents listen and discuss the concerns of their community at a meeting headed by members of the Legislature and agency officials last week. They are planning to establish a new Neighborhood Watch program to ensure security in their area. Photo contributed photo by Rep. Edwin Propst.
Over 60 people attended their meeting last week, 36 of whom signed up and will be part of the core group of volunteers who will help develop the program.
Although the framework is not set yet, one of the things they are planning is to have one captain per block of the village to guard and take charge of its area.
“The next step would be to hold a follow-up meeting to formalize the creation of the Dandan Neighborhood Watch Program. Once we do this, we are excited to see the community members take ownership of the program,” said Rep. Angel Demapan, who also attended the meeting with Dandan residents.
House Speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, Rep. Roman Benavente, Sen. Arnold Palacios and Sen. Sixto Igisomar were also present at the meeting.
Other officials include DPS Commissioner James Deleon Guerrero, Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Commissioner Clyde Norita, Customs Director Jose Mafnas, and Public Health Emergency Preparedness director Warren Villagomez, among others.
According to Propst, they will only serve as support for the program to take off but will eventually leave it to the neighborhood to run, noting that members of the Legislature come and go.
“There must be continuity, that’s why there can be no politics in the Neighborhood Watch program,” he said.
Propst said they will also hold community meetings and help set up Neighborhood Watch programs for other villages in Precinct 1, including San Vicente, Koblerville, and San Antonio.
“It’s hard to do a watch in all of Saipan at once. We have to do it one village at a time,” he added.
